Orange City Council published its annual report this month, detailing councillor-related expenses tallying $55,000 more than the 2016-17 financial year, the final year of the previous council.

Printing and stationery and insurance were at the highest levels in five years, costing about $2200 and $19,600 respectively. 

Mayoral allowance and councillor fees rose in line with amounts set by the state government. 

Meeting expenses, the costs associated with travelling to meetings outside the region, accounted for $24,000, the highest level since 2013-14.

Training also hit a historic high, costing $16,700 against just $2200 in 2015-16. 

Mayor Reg Kidd said he was satisfied with the expenditure given the time councillors spent preparing for and attending council and committee meetings, public events and responding to ratepayer concerns, and the remuneration per hour was far less than the $274,000 bulk sum suggested.

“I don’t think anyone goes beyond what’s needed to complete their job,” he said. 

“I’ve being working at it full-time when I could earn three times more in a career.”

Cr Kidd said training in meeting practice was now mandatory, while some councillors completed a speed reading course.

“And it’s not free, as you can see,” he said. 

The cost of sending councillors to conferences was the second highest expense in 2017-18, but paled into comparison with 2013-14 when the price was $42,000. 

The $12,000 spent on the conduct review committee was the lowest since 2014-15 when $69,000 was spent. 

Cr Kidd said more reliance on follow-up discussion after a dispute meant less was spent on investigations.